What factor can significantly affect the speed of fire development?

The size of the compartment plays a crucial role in influencing the speed of fire development. In larger areas, fire can spread more quickly due to greater availability of oxygen and additional fuel sources, facilitating combustion. Conversely, in smaller compartments, the fire may develop slower due to limited oxygen and burn more steadily until it reaches a flashover point, where the entire area may ignite rapidly. The compartment size also impacts heat accumulation and the ability of fire gases to vent, which can further alter the dynamics of fire behavior.

While the type of fuel and humidity level also affect fire development, the compartment size immediately influences how quickly the environment changes during a fire. Smaller spaces may contain the fire more effectively, while larger spaces allow for faster fire spread and potentially dangerous situations. Time of day can play a role indirectly through temperatures and human activity but does not have as direct an impact on fire development speed as compartment size does.